Whelan gets chance to ‘right the wrongs’

Ryan Whelan...re-match with Zane Clark at the Holiday Inn

RYAN Whelan has what he craved - an immediate rematch with the man who dented his perfect pro record.

The light-heavy faces Zane Clark on September 13 at the same venue where the pair fought out a thrilling four round draw three months ago – Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn.

Whelan, a member of Nechell’s Holt family fight dynasty, should be saluted for taking such a bold step.

In an age of padded records, there’s no “he’s a bit too dangerous”, “facing him again is too much of a risk”.

Whelan, who will be taking part in his fifth contest, burns for the return. He wants to jump back in the deep end.

“It’s about righting the wrongs and proving something to myself,” the 26-year-old told me.

If the action matches May’s mayhem, fans are in for a treat.

Sheffield’s Zane came into the contest with only one win in eight – and that victory was registered on his debut. But he certainly brought ambition and desire, catching Ryan with big overhand rights.

This time, Whelan has promised more method and less madness. “They say a fighter only has so many wars in his career and I don’t want to use them all up at the beginning,” he said.

“The wrongs were straying away from my game plan, getting involved in a scrap and not using my assets such as a long jab.

“I came away thinking the decision was fair, but, to be honest, it felt like a bit of a loss. I didn’t show what I’m capable of.

“I’m game, but in boxing you have to use your head. I feel it has pushed me a little bit more and made me think about the things I still need to work on. Facing those sort of opponents at the beginning is a positive, it opens your eyes.”

Whelan, who works in the security industry, is an immensely likeable and honest individual. In an era awash with trash talk, bravado and bull, he refuses to bad mouth opponents or make grand predictions.

“My aspiration at the moment is to win a Midlands title at either super-middle or light-heavyweight,” he said. “When I do that we’ll look at stepping up. My aspiration at the moment is to take it one fight at a time.”

Of Zane Clark, he added: “He is a lovely guy, I have no personal qualms or quarrels with him. It’s just the name of the game.”